Reports on a study that examined the nature of vocal jazz improvisation and the factors that influence achievement in improvisation. Participating subjects performed two jazz improvisation tasks that were measured for tonal, rhythmic, and expressive items. Correlating independent variables included jazz theory knowledge, jazz experience, and…

Investigates two questions: (1) the sex-related differences in Landsat Mastery, road map reading, and map drawing among adolescents and (2) the relationship between spatial ability and mapping skills. Replicates significantly lower female performance on parts of the Landsat tasks. Concludes that spatial ability correlations with mapping are too…

Analyzed states' spending for hospitals and suicide rates in 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1984. Found spending was not directly related to suicide rates until 1984 when it accounted for 5 percent increase in variance. Considered effects of divorce rates, and change, density, economic level, and racial composition of population. Discusses implications of…

Describes study of Israeli secondary school students that was conducted to determine the extent to which gender and prior computer exposure affect students' attitudes toward computers prior to computer instruction in school. An attitude questionnaire designed to measure affective and cognitive attitudes toward computers is described, and results…

Examines the relationship between the underrepresentation of Black students in gifted education and particular school-related and socioeconomic-status-related variables. Suggests that the recruitment of additional Black teachers and investigation of alternatives to present placement practices can achieve proportional Black student representation…

Proposes a four-factor model of attitudes toward computers and describes a factor analysis conducted with preservice teachers to test its validity and reliability. Sex differences, degree of comfort or anxiety with computers, liking for computers, and value placed on computers are examined, and implications for further research are suggested.…

Describes a study of high school students that presents two exploratory path analyses of potentially relevant variables influencing both computer course enrollment and self-perceived computer proficiency. Computer attitudes and computer attributions are investigated, and implications for designing educational strategies are discussed. (25…

Describes study that was designed to investigate fifth graders' use of microcomputer-based reading assistance for science text comprehension. The three levels of assistance offered are described, the research software created for the project is explained, results are analyzed, and further research needs are suggested. (42 references) (LRW)

Describes study that was designed to compare student achievement scores from three different testing methods: paper-administered testing, computer-administered testing, and computerized adaptive testing. The California Assessment Program (CAP) item banks for grades three and six which this study incorporated are described, and results are…

Investigates how clinical psychology graduate students and faculty at nine universities perceive the student role and student control over the academic environment. Despite high correlation between student and faculty attitudes toward student characteristics needed for success, students rated stress management significantly higher. Suggests that…

Discusses the results of a study that investigated the level of computer use among beginning primary and secondary teachers in Western Australia. Correlations between the instructional technology courses in teacher training programs and the level of computer usage in the classroom are described, particularly regarding curriculum issues and…

Assesses the ability of elementary school teachers to identify at-risk students using three prominent indicators. Summarizes the reasons teachers give for identifying a student as at risk. Concludes that teachers are moderately accurate estimators of students' likelihood of being academically at risk. (Author/BB)

Proposes an empirico-statistical model to differentiate dependent and independent historical texts. Formulates a regard for information principle and an amplitude correlation principle. Experimentally examines and validates the model and both principles using specific historical texts. Includes tables and graphs. Appends further discussion of the…

Describes the development and validation of the Microcomputer Beliefs Inventory (MBI) that was designed to measure the self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs of middle school students in grades six, seven, and eight toward computers. Results are compared by grade level and gender, and uses of the MBI are suggested. (nine references) (LRW)

Presents an empirical model, previously used to examine characteristics associated with perceived quality in schools of library and information science, that may be utilized in future studies. Variables and their correlation with a discriminant analysis function are listed, and a histogram depicts score distribution. (four references) (EA)